Recently, the Kien Giang Provincial Border Guard Command, the Provincial People's Procuracy, the Provincial Police, and the Provincial Farmers' Association have jointly participated in the role of chairing the propaganda against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Thousands of people, fishermen, ship owners, captains, officers, soldiers of the forces, workers and civil servants in localities in Kien Giang province have joined in the propaganda against IUU.
Kien Giang has 3,627 ships over 15m, operating offshore seafood exploitation. Depending on the functions and tasks of each agency and unit, plans and propaganda content suitable for the propaganda target are developed. Border guards and the Procuracy focus on propagating the content of identifying acts considered illegal seafood exploitation, smuggling, trade fraud, illegal entry and exit, occupation, protection of the coast and beaches, and sanctions for each violation. Propagating the actions that people need to comply with and at the same time stating specifically the cases and cases that have been prosecuted that people have violated to prevent them.
The police and farmers' association disseminated many contents related to violations of the law, forms of punishment, and sentences for each act. At the same time, they called on people to maximize the spirit of the whole people participating in denouncing crimes, not covering up or assisting criminals; actively participating, joining hands, and unanimously establishing many crime prevention and control teams, security protection teams for hamlets, villages, and neighborhoods.
Colonel Huynh Van Dong, Political Commissar of the Kien Giang Provincial Border Guard, said: “The units and the border guard have coordinated with the People's Committees of districts and cities with seas, islands and coastlines to organize conferences to propagate the prevention and combat of IUU and some contents related to the law. Thousands of people and officials participated seriously”.
“Through the propaganda sessions, meetings, and exchanges, the leaders of the units were very happy to see that the people have understood and complied with the law; have a firm grasp of the issue of illegal fishing, especially in the issues of yellow cards, black boxes, connection signals, “3 no” fishing vessels, fishing logs, etc. This shows the consensus, agreement, and support of the authorities, and the people are determined to remove the EC’s yellow card” - Colonel Huynh Van Dong shared.
The People's Procuracy of Kien Giang province said that combating IUU fishing is an urgent task with long-term significance in the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, and is the responsibility of the entire political system and society. In particular, the procuracy also wants to equip local officials and civil servants with a better understanding of illegal acts, leading to an end to the occupation and protection of coastlines and beaches; promoting security movements in hamlets and villages, developing solidarity groups at sea and launching a movement for the entire population to participate in denouncing crimes...
Mr. Tran Ngoc Quy, owner of an offshore fishing boat in Tay Yen commune (An Bien district), said: “His family has been working at sea for more than 20 years and always complies with legal regulations while going out to sea to fish”.
“As a fisherman, I feel responsible for complying with and completing procedures and equipment for my boat. Each fisherman must be the eyes and ears along with the border guards and authorities to monitor and supervise all activities at sea. When detecting wrongdoings such as arbitrarily turning off or removing the tracking device from one boat to another, it is necessary to immediately report to the authorities for handling…” - Mr. Quy said.
